ZELA Releases "LOCKHART" Album Under AQ Prime Music

The hunger for PPOP is certainly evident and with the Philippines answering with great artists, it's fun to know we've got a lot of them coming in the following months. Today is pretty special as we begin to get to know ZELA. She's a triple threat, one who can write songs, sing and dance. She is also based in the US but knows how this is an opportune time to do PPOP through her label AQ Prime Music. This was something she's been dreaming of since she was a kid, and now she has the chance to inspire more people through her genre of music!

Zela says "I want people to be empowered when they hear my music. I make them inspired with my experience, I'm a soloist and friends suggested I do it. Performing during the Waterbomb Festival last February was memorable because I met Jessie, a very popular artist in Korea. She told me I was very skinny, it was surreal because it was a chance to meet someone I idolized, and they asked who I wanted to meet, I always mention her name. The name Lockhart came from my last name, and it describes how I am with my goals (as I am locked in(, and women empowerment is very important for me. I want to use my platform to become the voice for those who don't have it. People mention how we kinda look like Sandara and I take it as a complement. I just think she's way prettier, and who wouldn't like that. My music video is also out on AQ Prime Music. The creatives also helped me make the concept a reality."

She adds "What sets me apart is the fact that I do everything on my own. I don't share my lines, I wrote most of the songs in the album. Specifically the 6 tracks, the other 4 I've worked with another composer too. I can do any genre, and don't have to consult. It gets super lonely sometimes but I just focus on goals so I don't have to think about it. We are here to lift each other, and there's always space on top."

She already debuted in 2023, and has been rewarded with a PPOP Top New Artist of the Year award. She's released her first single called "KARMA" during that time and has gotten really good traction with it. She also followed up with "POGI BOY" later in the year and gave her third one called "01/01" during her birthday. She deem this a great gift to her fans as she has wished for. 

She also had the opportunity to do the 1st Waterbomb Festival last February and was the only PPOP Soloist act during the event. She is also releasing her new album "LOCKHART" that's got 10 tracks which she also wrote. The songs include ACE, Arangkada, ZL, GOAT, Paraiso, Chaos, Bababa, Hanap Ka Na Lang Ng Iba, and Leave Me. 

She's raring to release these songs and make it known worldwide, she's absolutely ready to go! She sends her thanks to Atty. Aldwin Alegre and Atty. Honey Quiño for supporting her goals all these years. She credits them for the successes she's had and says she's excited for what plans they've got for her in the near future. Go stream it today on popular streaming platforms, I particularly like "Bababa" so make sure you listen to it!

Meet The Newest PPOP Girl Group in Town: VVINK

After covering one of the biggest PPOP collabs just a few days ago, here we go drowning ourselves in PPOP content with the arrival of a new female group called VVINK through their debut showcase held today at the HYPE club in Quezon City.

While they've already released songs in the past, that was their pre-debut which mostly showcased their individual talents. This time, they will be taking a huge leap with their new single TULALA under their label FlipMusic.

They took the risk to do this so their listeners would be able to get to know them at their best. The group is composed of their leader Angelika, main vocalist Jean, main rapper Ayaka, main dancer Odri and the all rounder Mariel. This new song has a very dreamy vibe, quite upbeat, while trying to express the feeling of one's first love. This is just the first of a plethora of songs they plan to release in the next few months which will be included in the album expected to be done til the 2nd quarter of 2026.

These ladies come from different places, but were all hand picked by their COO Jumbo Belen and CEO Jeli Mateo to become a part of this group. Unconventional as it may have seem to be launched like this, they were able to showcase their individual voices and genre. They also feel that with the training they went through, that it was all worth it. Here's the press conference in full on video:

Later in the day, they gave us a glimpse of their upcoming singles (to be launched this year til the 2nd quarter) and by the looks of it, they absolutely killed it on stage. The titles include "Tatlong Hiling", "Baduy", "Kailan Aamin", "Ikaw Lang Ang Kulang", and "Tulog Pa Si Ganda". Aside from being singers, some of them are talented songwriters and are pro choreographers. They contribute what they can for VVINK.

I think I loved what I saw today, and if you're raring to support these girls, make sure to follow their social channels by looking of VVINK PH on FB, IG and others, become VVINKies as they start their journey to conquer the world!

PUREGOLD OPMCon 2025 Makes History: OPM Generations Showcased!

I'd be lying to you if I said I didn't despise going to the Philippine Arena because 1, it's too far, 2, travel is too tiring, and 3 if the artist is worth it. I reckon it's the same sentiment for almost anyone from Manila right? Well the folks from PUREGOLD got me thinking because as members, they'll be giving us VIP treatment plus a lineup of artists that NOBODY in the right mind could ever resist. Imagine, the BIGGEST acts in Filipino entertainment all in one place. The boys from SB19, girl group BINI, top band Sunkissed Lola, vixens G22, rising KAIA, artists Skusta Clee and talented Flow G in one stage made me say a resounding YES as soon as I heard it. Whatever hardship I'll be experiencing traveling there will all be worth it just as long as I see them all.

As you can see on the top photo, I'm a silent A'Tin and have that guy Ken as my bias. But no, that doesn't mean I don't like the rest, because I do. There's a reason why, because they've continued to represent the country, and really, they've made us all proud! This goes the same with the other groups in the list, and I just can't believe it happened. Plus, there's more. 

BINI with James Reid

KAIA

Sunkissed Lola

G22 was so hot!

Flow G

Skusta Clee

They did a collab too!

When SB19.went out, everybody just lost it!

The finale song was super sweet, a fitting end to see them all singing one song!

At the event, they also surprised us with other iconic artists that performed with them. Names like James Reid, Rico Blanco, Mayonnaise, Yeng Constantino shocked us. . . then went on and did collabs with each other. It was really crazy, but crazy good. I felt I was witnessing history, thanks to Puregold who put this together out of their own pockets. They also had free stuff given away by their partner brands like Nestle, Nescafe, Koko Krunch, Chuckie, Tide, Safeguard, Cream Silk, Surf, Champion and Colgate. There were more but I didn't get to see them so they will remain unnamed haha! 

PUREGOLD OPMCON 2025 was certainly one for the books! It made history, seeing them all in one place was just a dream come true. Whoever says there was a group or fan war must be crazy. They're literally friends, and I'm sure this is not the last time that PUREGOLD is doing this. Thank you PUREGOLD!